Over the summer, the treatment of LGBTQ students was put in the spotlight by a letter published in various local papers, and while we agree in spirit that everybody should be treated equally, we feel that New Trier is an inclusive institution.

Particularly in the last few years, the administration has made strides to improve. As part of every class syllabus, students agree to respect others students not just on account of race or nationality, but also of sexual orientations and genders.

Teachers, coaches, club sponsors, and advisors have been overwhelmingly proactive to shut down homophobic or transphobic slurs. Our health curriculum is nationally leading in its inclusion of gender identity; students spend several days and usually have a quiz on these topics. This year especially, it was not uncommon for students to be asked to introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns on the first day of class. Foreign Language teachers have accepted the usage of non-gendered terms such as the Spanish “Latinx”. And the latest construction resulted in the addition of several unisex bathrooms.

Students are occasionally dissatisfied with the administration’s slow response to certain issues, but the school has rarely made an action that did not protect and serve the diverse needs of the student body.

A seminar day of lectures on LGBTQ issues, as proposed by some, will not only have low attendance, like the first MLK seminar day, but it will be ineffectual at changing minds. Day of Silence is already a major effort of LGBTQ activism and is honored by almost all teachers, and many students. A mandatory day of observation or celebration of LGBTQ issues will only polarize the student body.

Those who seek to generalize the LGBTQ experience will point to a select few students who profess these bigoted beliefs, ignoring the dozens more that decry them.

The school must juggle a duty to respect students’ political and religious beliefs while also protecting those of the LGBTQ. We commend the administration’s robust response to the concerns of the LGBTQ community. Transgender students are free to be part of an advisery in accordance with their gender identity.

This is not a defense of the school as being infallible. Coaches and advisors in particular must remain ever vigilant for the homophobic and transphobic banter that can come out in the “safe” environment of the advisory or a locker room. Staff cannot possibly be everywhere all the time and the student body must take it upon themselves to self-regulate. Together, students have to vocally stand up to bigotry. But for a school of its size and diversity, perfection is impossible.

The student community is a largely a progressive, accepting place. With the combined efforts of the administration, faculty, and students, New Trier fosters a safe place for all. Because of the ongoing dialogue between student activists and the administration, New Trier remains on the forefront of LGBTQ issues in education.

We on the editorial staff support New Trier’s ongoing efforts to make our school a safe and accepting place for all.